Chapter 11 #2
“Soon. I believe that we need to make arrangements to set our warriors into place swiftly, within the next day or so. Eamon is already bringing in supplies and people. We still have injured, and they were moving them a day ago when we left. But more than that, they’ll be ready to rain down fire upon those who come close to the wall and scatter their ranks.
” He winced. Fire and boiling oil . . . horrible ways to die.
But there was no help for it when an enemy was determined on your demise.
“We are prepared and ready to work with your men,” Cillian told him.
“There are men I will assign to you in the morning,” Declan told him. He looked from Cillian to Kylin. “And what shall I do about the counties’ leaders who are still here? Can I trust any of them?” Declan asked.
“I’d love to trust all of them,” Kylin said.
“As would I,” Cillian echoed sadly.
“Then it will be as you suggest,” Declan said with resignation.
“I have gone nowhere on my own since you and young Deidre saved my life, Kylin, a fact for which I am eternally grateful. I didn’t want to believe that this could happen.
Apparently, the powers behind this believe that perhaps getting rid of me early would speed along their conquest.”
“Aye, sire, and we were set upon again on our way here.” He glanced at the Rí of Meath and said, “Cillian sent men to retrieve the bodies. He determined they were Northmen.”
“In the morning, we begin, then,” Declan said.
“I will have chosen men to accompany you as you return to the great Hill of Tara, honored by us all. Tonight, I hope you will enjoy the meal and entertainment we’ll have in the great hall.
Young Kylin, I understand that congratulations are in order for you! ”
“News travels with greater speed than a man can manage,” Kylin said.
“A neighbor tells a neighbor such news, and it does travel quickly,” Declan said.
“My last meeting with Eamon was not so long ago and he told me that he didn’t intend to force his daughter into a marriage for an alliance or a great dowry or reason other than her own choice.
So, young man, it seems she has chosen you over all the young leaders in the land.
It will be good. She loves her brother, and Aidan deeply respects your father and the men and families who came here with him.
” He smiled. “We can change so quickly. Over the years, so many peoples, so many tribes, have arrived here and as the decades go by, the strengths others bring become part of us. And, thankfully, in this case, a man who came from elsewhere may be the savior of our people.”
“My father,” Kylin said quietly.
“A very fine man. Well, you must celebrate this evening!”
“We are honored to be here,” Kylin said.
“Always,” Cillian agreed.
Declan nodded in acknowledgment of their words.
“And we’d best allow others your council now,” Kylin said. “Angus will not be happy being kept long from your presence.”
“I believe Angus will have been fine speaking with your betrothed,” Declan said dryly. “You are aware that he suggested an alliance to her father?”
“I am, sire,” Declan said.
“Then perhaps she needs to be saved from a deep discourse with the man. He can be . . . well, he speaks his mind, sometimes to the detriment of others. But he’s kept a strong hand on his county and if this invasion wasn’t imminent, his longing to increase trade between our shores might have been good for many. ”
“We will tell him that you’re ready to see him,” Kylin said, smiling.
“If you see Berach, please tell him that we’ll ride today and speak as planned,” Declan said.
Kylin nodded.
Berach remained at the ard-rí’s residence. Did that mean anything?
With all the dreams and visions they were having, it would be so useful if something would tell them just who might betray the ard-rí and éire.
Kylin headed out the door, respectfully holding it open for Cillian to follow.
He didn’t see Deidre. That instantly worried him.
He reminded himself that she was quite capable of caring for herself, that she carried her shimmering silver sword, her gift from a greater power.
And Angus, of course, had such a rough manner that he tended to make a man’s hackles rise during any conversation. That didn’t mean . . .
No man would dare attack Eamon’s daughter, and certainly not in the home of the ard-rí of the land.
“Deidre?” He called her name loudly as they left the council chamber.
Cillian set a hand on his arm. “Son, don’t let your temper and worry seize you. The man is not a fool.”
Kylin nodded. “Aye, sire. Aye, I know.”
But he couldn’t help that his footsteps fell hard and fast as he headed down the hall. As they turned toward the winding cut stone stairs to the entry and great hall beneath them, he saw that Deidre and Angus stood at the top of the stairs.
He wondered if Deidre had walked in that direction to escape Angus.
Or if Angus had tried to lead her elsewhere.
“Angus, Deidre!” he said, moving toward them. He nodded to the man, as if giving him the respect due to a rí of the land. “We’ve finished speaking with the ard-rí, Angus. I know that you wanted to speak with him as well.”
“Quite all right,” Angus said. “I hear that congratulations are in order.”
“It all just happened,” Kylin told him. “We’re rather surprised that the news traveled so fast.”
“Ah, because each villager tells those closest to themselves and the next villager keeps the momentum building. That said, I do admit to being surprised to hear it.” He looked at Deidre and smiled, but as usual, there was something about the man that didn’t ring true.
“Alas! She might have been the wife of a rí. Well, I’m aware several spoke to Eamon about betrothals, but I dare say that I do have one of the finest and strongest counties.
I had thought the lass meant to spend her days at her brother’s side, ready to help in the event of Eamon’s passing. No man lives forever.”
“And sometimes the young die first,” Cillian said, shaking his head.
The Rí of Meath was trying to defuse the situation, Kylin thought.
He looked at Deidre. She nodded slightly, letting him know that she had been holding her own against the man and all was well. Or as well as it could be under the circumstances!
“Indeed, in our world. Strange sicknesses can strike along with the enemy,” Angus said agreeably.
“I am hoping that my father will live forever. But that is the case with no human being, and therefore, aye, Angus, I’ve always wanted to live on the land where I was born and raised, ready to help my brother and our people, and to lead lives according to the teachings of our good Father Patrick and the ways of my father.
And in this, of course, as my father promised, I made my choice. We are of the same land.”
Angus laughed and said lightly to Kylin, “I guess Aidan has no fear that you mean to overthrow him!”
Kylin forced a smile. “He hasn’t the least fear, I assure you.”
Deidre slipped her arms around him, smiling up into his face. “We’ve known each other forever,” she said softly. She looked at Angus. “I am so sorry for everyone who is forced or compelled to marry for dynastic reasons. I mean, you’re going to live with someone for years and years and—”
“Divorce does exist,” Angus reminded her.
“But how horribly painful for any children of the match and such a . . . well, messy affair!” Deidre said.
“We’re very, very lucky. Kylin’s sisters are among my closest friends, his father and my father .
. . they are so wonderfully supportive of one another.
At any rate, I believe we’ll be very, very happy,” she said.
Kylin kept his smile in place, wondering if it was a good game that they played or if she wasn’t bothered at all by holding on to him the way that she was. He wondered if he wasn’t happy just to feel her touch him or if it was just going to make him more miserable, remembering . . . the dream!
I will never forget the dream, so very real, as real as any regarding the cauldron or—
Merely a dream, he reminded himself flatly.
“I am a privileged and honored man and well aware of that fact!” he told Angus, smiling.
“They make a most compatible couple,” Cillian said. “And, Angus, please, don’t let us stop you—I know you were anxious to speak with the ard-rí.”
“Wait,” Angus said. “You’re all still so certain that this attack is coming—through the jarl, Swen Jorgensen?”
“We are. All the more each time we travel,” Kylin told him. “We were beset upon again as we headed to see Cillian and come here.”
“Attacked?” Angus pressed, frowning.
“Aye, by several men.”
“From where? Who were they?” Angus asked.
“We don’t know,” Kylin told him. “But that was the third such attack on us as we traveled and, in my mind, that gives greater credence to what we have been told.”
Angus shook his head. “The jarl came to see me—he was so intent on making trade between our peoples something important. It’s hard to believe that he could have been so sincere while really intending to attack us.”
“If you are planning such an attack,” Cillian said, “it is wise, first, to put on an excellent pretense of coming in peace. But I fear that he journeyed to see you to assess the countryside—and even your strength, Angus. And I’m sure he saw that you are a strong rí with good warriors and people.
But making such a determination shows him that he must start taking down the countryside on his way to your land—”
“He’ll not take me, and he’ll not take the ard-rí!” Angus said angrily.
“We believe that we will stand strong,” Deidre said firmly.
“Aye, that we do,” Cillian said flatly.
Angus nodded, thoughtful. “Aye, we will fight, as we have learned to fight through hundreds of years. Blessed day to you then, I am on to speak with Declan.”
He nodded and left them.
Deidre had been holding Kylin’s arm. She eased away from him.
“You were able to show everything to Declan?” she asked.